Electric self-playing violin.



No. 807,871. PATENTED DEC. 19, 1905. H. K. SANDELL.

ELECTRIC SELF PLAYING VIOLIN.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.2'I, 1905.

10 SHEETS-$11337. l

No. 807,871. PATENTED DEC. 19, 1905. H. K. SANDELL.

ELECTRIC SELF PLAYING VIOLIN.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.27, 1905.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

No. 807,871. PATENTED DEC. 19, 1905.

H. K. SANDBLL.

ELECTRIC SELF PLAYING VIOLIN.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

APPLICATION FILED MAE.27,1905.

No. 807,871. PATENTED DEC. 19, 1905.

I H. K. SANDELL.

ELECTRIC SELF PLAYING VIOLIN.

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII AR.27,1905.

Men/Z02" San/d666, l. WW

No. 807,871. PATENTED DEC. 19, 1905. H. K. SANDELL.

ELECTRIC SELF PLAYING VIOLIN.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.27,1905.

l0 SHEETS-SHEET 6 v a a C 7 jfm fbmzea,

No. 807,871. PATENTED DEC. 19, 1905.- H. K. SANDELL.

ELECTRIC SELF PLAYING VIOLIN.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.27, 1905.

10 SHEETSSHEET 7' II i i II. n I.

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No. 807,871. PATENTED DEO.19,1906. H. K. SANDELL.

ELECTRIC SELF PLAYING VIOLIN.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.27, 1905 10 SHEETSSHEET 8.

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PATENTED DEC. 19, 1905;

H. K. SANDELL.

ELECTRIC SELF PLAYING VIOLIN. APPLICATION FILED MAR.27. 1905 10SHBETS-SHEET 9 Y- W 5 t I W 6K 19 ,7 l6

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No. 807,871. PATENTED DEC. 19,, 1905 H. K. SANDELL.

ELECTRIC SELF PLAYING VIOLIN.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.27. 1905.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 10.

UNITED s ra rns enrnsr OFFICE.

HENRY K. SANDELL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO HILLS NOVELTYCOMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

ELECTRIC SELF-PLAYING VIOLIN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented. Dec. 19, 1905.

Application filed March 27. 1905. Serial No. 252.228.

1'0 a) 1071/0111, t HY/(by concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY K. SANDELL, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented a new and usefullmprovement in Electric Self-Playing Violins,of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in the class of automaticallyplayed musical string instruments in which electrically, pneumatically,and otherwise actuated devices for sounding the strings andsimilarly-actuated devices for fingering them are operated under thecontrol of a traveling perforated musicsheet through the perforations inwhich the circuits or valves controlling the sounding and fingeringdevices are closed to cause these devices to engage and perform theirfunctions on the strings for reproducing the music for which the sheetis cut.

This invention is primarily designed for antomatically playing the violclass of instruments, and especially the violin, and the descriptionhereinafter contained relates to that particular instrument;but'features of the invention may be used with advantage for operatingother varieties of string instruments, and their application thereto isintended to be included in this invention.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 shows the entiremachine by a view in front elevation with the electric motor foroperating it in dotted lines to avoid confusion in the representation ofthe cut-out device connected with it. Fig. 1 is a broken plan viewshowing mechanical details of the cutout device, and Fig. 1 a sectiontaken at the line l on Fig. 1 and viewed in the direction of the arrow.Fig. 2 is a view showing, in front elevation, the multiple contactdevice, the contact-roller with which it cooperates through theperforated music-sheet, and the feed-roller for the sheet with themechanism for operating the rollers. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section ofthe contact-roller, taken at the line 3 on Fig. 5 and viewed in thedirection of the arrow. Fig. 4 is an enlarged end view of the partsrepresented in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a section taken at the line 5 on Fig.2, viewed in the direction of the arrow and enlarged. Fig. 6 is anenlarged section taken at the line 6 on Fig. l and viewed in thedirection of the arrow, showing in end elevation the four longitudinalseries of fingering devices and the controlling magnets therefor intheir support. Fig. '7 is an enlarged broken view showing in frontelevation one of the longitudinal series of fingering devices in theirnormal relation to a string on a violin. Fig. 7* is a perspective viewof one of the links of the fingering devices. Fig. 8 is a broken view,in sectional elevation, illustrating the action of the fingering deviceson a string; and Fig. 9 a similar view illustrating the action of twosuccessive fingering devices in a series thereof when depressedsimultaneously. Fig. 10 is a plan view, partly sectional, of the headcarrying the rotatable sounding devices and the mechanisms for rotatingand depressing them against the strings; and Fig. 11 is a view of thesame, in elevation, regarded from the back of the machine. with the rearpart of the head shown in section. Fig. 12 shows in end elevation thesounding devices and their controlling-magnets. Fig. 13 is asectiontaken at the line13 on Fig. 10 and viewed in the direction of the arrow;Fig. 14, an enlarged section taken at the line 1 on Fig. 10 and viewedin the direction of the arrow, and Fig. 15 an enlarged section taken atthe line 15 on Fig. 14 and viewed in the direction of the arrow, showingthe means for depressibly supporting a rotatable sounder at its shaft.Fig. 16 is a broken sectional view of a speed-changing adjunct which maybe used in connection with the motor, and Fig. 17 a section taken at theline 17 on Fig. 16 and viewed in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 18 isa diagram illustrating the motorcircuits containing the operatingmechanisms of the machine.

At 1 is represented a violin rigidly supported by suitable means inposition upon the top of an appropriate frame 2 to bring its strings E,A, D, and G under the sounding and fingering devices, hereinafterdescribed.

In use the instrument and mechanism are inclosed in a suitable casing,though representation thereof is omitted from the drawings to avoidunnecessarily amplifying them. The tuning means shown at 3 on theviolinhead are of the variety commonly used on the guitar the better tohold at their normal pitch the strings, which should be metal for thesake of durability. The music-sheet 4t represented is asuitably-perforated endless band of paper hung over a guide-board 5,Fig. 4,

supported in inclined position in the front part of the frame 2 towardits left side and to the lower end of which board the sheet passes overa guide-rod 6, extending transversely across its path from the base ofthe frame, whereit depends in loose folds. Across the upper surface ofthe board 5 near its lower end extends a Hat clamping-strip 7, supportedin place to yield outwardly and upwardly and carrying upon its back ametal weight 8 for holding it down against the surface of themusic-sheet, which passes under it in traveling for maintaining taut thesheet. This is one of various ways that may be employed for disposing ofand guiding the music-sheet between a feed-roller 9 and a metalcontactroller 10, forming, with a multiple contactdevice 11, hereinafterdescribed, the means for closing the circuits to actuate the soundingand fingering mechanisms through the perforations in the sheet, all ashereinafter explained. In rigid bearing-plates 12 and 13, depending atthe proper distance apart from the under side of the top of the frame 2,is immovably secured in horizontal position a fulcrum-rod 1 1 with itsends projecting beyond the bearings. On the right-hand end of this rodis journaled a grooved pulley 15, from the centerof one face of whichprojects a pinion 16, Figs. 1 and 2. On the same end of the rod 14, atthe inner side of the hearing 13, is journaled a hanger 17, and near theopposite end thereof is journaled at its hub or sleeve 19 a similarhanger 18 to depend at the inner side of the bearing-plate 12. The hub19 projects through the bearing-plate 12 and carries at the outer sidethereof a crank-handle 20, provided with a stud 21 near its outer end toengage an aperture 22 in the plate 12 at the lower end of the throw ofthe handle for retaining it there, the handle having suflieient inherentspringiness to shoot the stud into the retaining-aperture whenregistering therewith. In the lower ends of the swinging hangers 17 and18 is journaled at its ends the feed-roller 9, which may be composed ofhard rubber and carries on its inner end a ratchet-wheel 23, meshingwith the pinion 16, and this roller cooperates with the metalcontact-roller 10, journalcd in the bearing-plates 12 and 13 to feed thesheet a by clamping it between the two rollers between which it passesfrom the upper end of the guide-board 5, as represented in Figs. 1 and5. Springrod devices 2& 2%, supported in engagement with the hangers 17and 18 above their fulcrum-points, give to the lower ends of the hangersa tendency to turn toward the contact-roller and to the feed-roller toengage yieldingly therewith.

The pulley 15 is connected for driving it and the feed-roller 9 by itsgear connection with the pulley, as also the contact-roller byfrictional engagement with it of the feedroller through the medium of anendless belt 25, with a smaller pulley 26 on one end of the shaft 27 ofan electric motor 28, of any known or suitable variety, the shaftcarrying near the same end a suitable governor, (indicated at 29,) whichmay be that of my pending application for Letters Patent SerialNo.237,7i)5, filed on the 21st day of December. 190%, and agravity-operating belt-tightener 30 is shown in Fig. 1 engaging thisbelt. The motorshaft carries on its opposite end a pulley 31, having anendless-belt connection 32 with the brushshaft pulleys hereinafterdescribed, this belt also being shown equipped with a gravity-tightener33.

Adjacent to the motor is shown an automatic cut-out comprising atwo-spool electromagnet 3 1, having its armature 35 on a springarm 36,extending from a support 37 and tending to raise the armature against acontact 38, extending over its path from a post 39. The armature carrieson its free end a springpressed tongue 10, Figs. 1 and 1", adapted topass a notch a1 in a rock-shaft 4E2, journaled in bearings 4.3 andcarrying on one end a weighted trip-arm 14:. When the trip-arm is in itsnormal horizontal position with the tongue a0 under the shaft 42, thearmature is locked down against the tendency of the spring 36 to raiseit against the contact 38, and by tripping the arm 4% to turn the shaft42 and register with its notch &1 the tongue 10 the latter is freed,permitting the armature to rise under the action of its spring to meetthe contact 38, all for the purpose hereinafter explained.

Rising from the frame-top near one end thereof is a housing or casing4L5, from the top of which extends an arm 4L5 horizontally over the rearportion of the violin. 1n the housing are contained a series of pulleys,the two end pulleys 16 and 47 being in the same plane and higher thanthe plane in which the two intermediate pulleys 18 and 4:9 lie. Theendless belt 32 crosses in the housing and passes over the pulley 48,thence under and about the pulley 16, from which it extends over andabout the pulley 47, and thence over the pulley 4:9 to cause rotation ofthe motorshaft to drive the end pulleys correspondingly in one directionand the intermediate pulleys correspondingly in the contrary direction.These pulleys are carried on the rear ends of shafts 50, journaled inthe forward wall of the housing 15 to cause each to extend lengthwiseover and coincidently with a string of the violin. On the forward end ofeach rotary shaft 50 is secured a sounder 51, of thin hard material,adapting the sounder by rotating it against a string to perform thefunction of the common violin-bow. posing the sounders found to beespecially suitable is celluloid, though the use of other material iswithin the scope of the invention, and the form required for the purposeto which the material is reduced is that of adisl;

The material comor wheel, preferably dished or rendered shelllike toengage the string for sounding the latter by rotating against the sameat the peripheral edge of the shell. To enhance the similarity of thesounders 51 in their action and sounding eifect on a string to the hairof the ordinary violin bow, each sounder is composed of a plurality ofthe dished disks nested together and confined on the threaded end of ashaft 50. As represented, the sets of disks face with their dished sidesin alternatelycontrary directions to enable successive sets, whichmutually overlap, to be in desired close proximity to each other.

Each sounder-shaft, which is adequately flexible, is supportedgtowardits forward end, there to adapt it to be depressed for contacting thesounder upon it with the respective string by an elect-romagnet 52.These magnets are supported in vertical position in two rows on the arm45 and are all of like construction, which may be generallyconsideredthat of the ordinary one-spool magnet, though the preferableconstruction is that shown in the drawings and most clearly illustratedin Fig. 14 and of which the following is a description: The core 53 ofthe magnet-spool is tubular and is provided with an extension 54L of thesame material, shown in the form of a substantially rectangular bracketwith its horizontal arms extending over the opposite ends of the spool,the core bearing at its lower end against the lower bracket-arm, wherebythe bracket and core are united. The armature 55 is carried on averticalhy-rcciprocable rod 56, passing through the tubular core, thearmature being recessed in its under side to house a spring 57 forraising it when deenergized, confined against it about the rod. Thearmature works through an opening 58 in the upper horizontal arm of thebracket 54, the magnetism in which when energized supplements that ofthe core in attracting the armature. The piston-rod 56 is arrestedagainst undue extent of rise by a stop 59 upon it engaging the underside of the arm 45, through which the rod passes. The lower end of therod is expanded and formed into an eye 60 of greater diameter verticallythan the shaft 50, which passes through it and is supported therein, andthe rod is loosely surrounded by a thimble 61, pressed by a spring 62against the respective shaft 50, the spring being confined about the rodbetween a pin 63 thereon and the top of the thimble, the open end ofwhich surrounds the upper portion of the lower expanded end of the rod.The spring 62 cushions the stroke of the thimble against the rod torender the stroke noiseless.

An adjunct is provided to cooperate with the rotary sounders, which formthe sounding devices for the violin-strings, this adjunct constitutinga' regulator for the degrees of and graduations in loudness of playingby regulating the pressure exerted by the sounders against the stringsunder the depressing action of the magnets 52 on the soundershafts. Thepreferred construction as to details of this adjunct is thatillustrated, and is described as follows:

Supported in vertical position on the arm 45, behind each magnet 52, isa spool-magnet 63, of ordinary or any suitable construction. A flatrock-bar Get, recessed at intervals in its rear edge and having a raisedforward edge, is journaled in bearings 65 at opposite ends of the bankof four magnets 52 and is yieldingly held normally in horizontalposition by a spring 66, connecting it with one of said bearings, fromwhich an anglearm 67 extends behind. the bank of magnets 63 and carriesat its upper end a horizontal bar 68, provided at intervals on its upperedge with forwardly-projecting fingers 69. The row of the magnets 63slants backward from the magnet 52, controlling the E-string sounder 51,whereby the distance of separation between each pair of magnets 52 63increases toward the (1rstring of the violin. From the rear edge of therock-bar 64 extend backwardly at intervals lingers 70, Fig. 14, havingupturned bifurcated ends, and for each magnet 52 there is looselyconfined be tween the prongs of one of these bifurcated finger ends anarm 71, having a depending tailpiece 71, passing through an opening 75in the rock-bar, and thence extending over the core of the companionmagnet 63, where it carries an armature 72. Each armature 72 is heldresiliently away from its magnet by a spring 73, confined on a rod 74,rising from an arm 71 through a finger 69. Each pistonrod 56 of a magnet52 has fastened upon it, between nuts 76 77, a stop-finger 78, thestopfingers of the two forward magnets 52 projecting horizontallybackward and those of the two rear magnets 52 projecting horizontallyforward over the forward raised or flanged edge of the rock-bar.

As will be seen, owing to the successively increasing distances of thearmatures 72 from the fulcrums of their arms 71 between the prongs ofthe fingers, the extent of backward tipping of the rock-bar 6& will berelatively greater when an armature 72 on a shorter arm is attracted byits magnet 63 than when that on a longer arm is thus'attracted, and thehigher the forward edge of the rock-bar is raised by such tilting theshorter will be the possible extent of depression of any rod 56 and ofthe shaft 50, carried by it, because of the encounter with that edge ofthe bar of the finger 7 8 on the piston-rod. The arrangement is suchthat when the armature 72 on the shortest arm 71 is drawn down by itscontrolling-magnet the shafts 50 cannot be depressed far enough tocontact the sounders thereon with the violin-strings, whereas when thearmature on the next longer arm 71 is attracted the possible contact ofthe sounders ISO with the violin-strings is slight, while the depressionof the next longer arm under attraction of the armature on it by itsmagnet is sufficient to produce greater pressure of the sounders againstthe strings, and when the armature of the magnet 63 nearest in line withthe (Sr-string of the violin is attracted the rise of the forward edgeof the rock-bar M will be the slightest and permit to the fingers 78before encountering it a greater extent of depression, thereby enablingalmost the fullest downward movement of the piston-rods to depress theshafts 50 and press the sounders against the strings. As will beexplained, retention of the sounders under the highest position of theforward edge of the rock-bar 6e out of contact with the violin-stringsenables the tremolo effect to be produced by a feature of thecontact-roller, as hereinafter described.

WVith the sounding devices cooperate fingering devices, these twomechanisms constituting the more important features of the invention.The preferred construction of the fingering devices adapts them toengage the violinstrings in a novel manner to shorten their vibratorylengths for varying the tonal pitch-- namely, by confining them againstlateral vibration from the points at which the fingering devices engagethem toward their forward ends instead of shortening the strings bydepression thereof against the surface of the violin finger-board, asinordinary violin-playing, with the advantage of materially improving thetone quality produced by the action of the sounders, which,as will beunderstood, by their downward pressure against the strings in re tat-ingin contact therewith hold the latter against vertical vibration. Afurther function of the fingering devices in a preferred constructionthereof is that of operating upon the strings at quarter-tone intervalsto enable the tonal effect of slurring along the strings to be producedas also trills to be performed in close imitation of humanviolin-playing.

Following is the description of thefingering devices of the constructionillustrated in the drawings, particular reference being had to Figs. 1,6, 7, 8, and 9. Adjacent to the fingerboard 79 of the violin at theE-string side thereof a hollow post 80 rises from the top of the frame 2and carries on its upper end to extend over the finger-board a framecomposed of curved end pieces 81, rigidly connected by a downwardly-inclined side piece or back 82 and provided with inwardly-extending base-flanges 83, and having bars 84, four in number, extendingbetween them at intervals, the bars beingsecured at their ends to thecurved flanges 83. On each bar 84 are seated endwise electromagnets 85in a row extending longitudinally of a violin-string, one row beingprovided for each string and con taining, by preference, twelve magnetsto correspond with the number of half-tones in the octave. The magnetsare single spools and may be of the ordinary construction involving awirewound core; but it is preferred to equip each, like the magnets 52,with a reinforcing bracket extension 86 of its core substantially likethe extension 54c for the described influence on its arn'iature 87. Itis preferred to form all of these brackets for each row of the magnets85 out of one continuous plate of metal, as represented. From the upperhorizontal part of each of the four of these bracket-plates there risesfrom near each end of the plate a post 88, and on each pair of theseposts is supported a longitudinal bearing-bar 89, the bar beingperforated at equal intervals along its length to admit guidinglythrough the perforations reciprocating angular rods 90, having confinedabout their upper end portions springs 91, holding them resiliently intheir normally raised positions. Each rod has secured to it at its upperangle extending over the core of an adjacent magnet an armature 87 andpasses between its ends for guidance through an opening in a bar 8a andtoward its lower deflected end through a guide-opening provided for itin a horizontal plate 92, rigidly carried by arms 93, depending fromnear the end of the side or back 82 of the frame supporting thefingering devices. A sleeve 94L, of soft rubber or other suitablematerial, surrounds each rod between its upper shoulder or angle, andits bearing-bar 89 for cushioning and rendering noiseless the upstrokeof the rod. Each rod 90 carries yieldingly on its lower end an angularmetal strip 95, forming a head of general S shape, with a lower stemextension of general inverted-T shape forming a fulcrum-bar 96,extending transversely across a violin-string. To connect ahead with itsred 90, thelatter passes loosely through openingsin the two uppermosthorizontal sections of the head, which is sustained on the red by a pin97, extending transversely through it, betweenwhieh pin and thehorizontal section below it of the angular head is confined about therod a spiral spring 98 for cushioning and rendering noiseless the strokeof the lingering device against the linger-board. The intervals betweenthe lower ends of the rods 90 in each longitudinal series thereof aresuitably graduated to register the bars 96 with the half-tone intervalson the violin-string along which the series of fingering devices extend.in the lower edge of, each fulcrum-bar 96 is formed a V-shaped notch 99,Fig. 6. he notched fulcrum-bars on each longitudinal series of the rods90 are connected flexibly from one to the other by yoke-shaped links,each comprising a central bar 100, Fig. 7, transversely arched toconform to the notches 99 and extending across a violin-string andhaving arms 101 extending laterally in opposite directionsfrom it. Thesearms terminate in apertured cars 102, and the members of each pair ofcars on the ends of the arms extending from one side of the centralarched bar 100 are somewhat farther apart work together under thecontact making and than those on the ends of the oppositely-exbreakingaction of the music-sheet4 in traveltending arms, so that the earscloser together ing between the roller 10 and the bar 11, supon one linkmay fit overlappingly between portedto extend parallel with it andprovided 5 those on the adjacent arms of the next link in with springcontact-fingers 104: to the number 7 the series, and the ends of thebars 96 pass of fifty-eight, which engage the roller through through theears 102, thus linking the bars 96 the perforations in the sheet. Thisnumber together throughout the series thereof. of the contact-fingersincludes forty-eight to The finger board 79 is longitudinally correspondand be connected with the same 10 grooved to form a ridge 108, Fig. 6,under number of magnets 85 in the four series there- 75 and lengthwiseof each string. of, also a set of four of the contact-fingers to By thedescribed construction of the finger correspond and be connected withthe like ing devices when a magnet 85 is energized number of magnets 52for the open violinand attracts its armature depression of a rod stringsand another set of four of the con- 92, and with it of a bar 96, ensues.When a tact-lingers to correspond and be connected 80 pair of thelink-ears 102, engaging the dcwith the number of magnets 63. One of thepressed bar embracingly, encounters a ridge last-nained set of contactshas connected with 103 on the finger-board, the impact is cushit a fifthcontact to cooperate with the tremolo ioned and rendered noiseless bythe respective feature referred to as being provided on the spring 98,and the parts are so relatively arcontact-roller, and an additionalspring con- 5 ranged that when the encounter takes place tact-finger isprovided for controlling the opthe string affected will at the pointacted eration of the cut-out device of the electric upon be in the apexof the respective notch motor.

99 and be therein held against the lateral vi The diagram illustrated inFig. 18 reprebration referred to, with the effect of producsents thecircuit connections of the electric- 9 ing in purity the tonal pitch ofthe string ally working parts of themachine with acurresulting from theshortening of its vibratory rent-generator, (indicated at 105,) and the0plength. The same results ensue in like maneration may best beexplained by reference to ner from the depression of any rod 90 singlythat figure, while bearingin mind thedescribed 0 under the attraction ofan armature 9% by its construction of the operating parts of the 95magnet, this action being illustrated in Fig. mechanism and theiraction.

8. To cause a bar 100 to act on its string to In the condition of theparts illustrated in emit a quarter-tone pitch in sounding it, two thedrawings the machine is playing. The adjacentrods 90inalongitudinalseries thereof rotating motor-shaft by its belt connection 3 5 aresimultaneously depressed, as represented 32 with the pulleys on theshafts 50 rotates 100 in Fig. 9, with the result of embracing the thelatter constantly during the playing of the stringin the apex of thearched bar 100, which piece for which the music-sheet 4 is cut by seatsatits ends embracingly on the respective the travel of the sheetproduced by the belt ridge of the finger-board and prevents theconnection 25 of the motor-shaft'with the pul- 40 ears on thefulcrum-bars flanking the arched ley 15, which drives the feed-roller 9and 5 bar from engaging that ridge to enter the causes it by itsfrictional cooperation with the string into the apexes of the notches.This contact-roller 10 to move the sheet continuis because the arches inthe bars 100 are ously across the latter. The motor-circuit is slightlyshallower than the notches in the bars closed and traceable as follows:from the posi- 96. The same quarter tone will obviously tive pole of thegenerator 105 over the Wire w IIO be produced when asingle rod 90 isdepressed and a branch w, leading therefrom through and held indepressed condition while the next themotor-brushes, beyond which thebranch succeeding rod is being depressed, and with contains aresistance-coil at to direct a porthe first rod so held by rapidlyvibrating the tion of the currentoverashunt-line 10 through nextadjacent rod while a sounder 51 is being the governor 29, and the branchw leads to 15 rotated against the string acted upon a perthespring36,which conducts the current to the feet quarter-tone trill willbe performed. contact 38, connected with a wire 10 leading It is Withinthe invention to produce rotaback to the generator at its negative side.On tion of the sounders by other driving means the completion of apiecea perforation 106 in 55 than an electric motor and to regulate their themusic-sheet registers with the spring-con- I20 pressure against thestrings, as also to actuate tact 104 at the extreme right-hand end ofthe sethe lingering devices by power other than ries of contacts,permittingitto bear, through electricity, as by pneumatic power. Howtheperforation, against the contact-roller, ever, the invention is devisedespecially to be l though this engagement is only momentary,

6O worked electrically, and to that end the elec- 5 since the inertia ofthe sheet-drivingmechan- 25 tric contact-bar 11 is provided to cooperateism carries the perforation beyond the contact with the contact-roller10. The magnets conin its path to interpose the paper between ittrolling the fingering devices and those con and the contact-roller.When the aforesaid trolling the sounding devices are electricallymomentary contact engagement takes place,

5 connected in series and cause the magnets to the motor is cut out ofthe generator-circuit 3 by the course of the current over the wire wthrough the contact-roller 10 to the aforesaid final spring-contact 104,whence a wire w leads through the cut-out magnet 34 to the wire wa whichgoes to the generator. The magnet 34 is thus energized to attract itsarmature 36 away from the contact 38, thereby stopping the motor bybreaking the motorcircuit, which would immediately close again byopening the cut-out-magnet circuit as the result of the slight travel ofthe music-sheet referred to in inter-posing paper between the said finalcontact 104 and contact-roller were it not for the action of the lockcomprising the weighted arm 44 on the rock-shaft 42 cansing the latterto hold the armature 36 in its attracted position away from the contact38. To again start the motor, the operator depresses the arm 44 to turnthe shaft 42 and bring its recess 41 into registration with the tongue40, freeing the latter and permitting the spring 36 to raise thearmature into engagement with the contact 38, thereby closing themotor-circuit.

In the travel of the music-sheet the fingers 104 contact through itsperforations with the roller '10 and close circuits containing themagnets 85 to actuate the fingering devices, the magnets 52 to depressor tend to depress the sounder-shafts, and the magnets 63 to control thepressure of the sounders against the strings, all in the mannerdescribed and in the order determined by the perforations in themusic-sheet. As all the circuits containing the magnets 85 are alike,description of one of them will suffice, taking the one which includesthe first contact-finger 104 at the lefthand end of the series, which isthe particular contact-linger that controls the magnet 85 for actuatingthe first fingering device over the G-string to engage the latter at theG-sharp positive thereon. hen a perforation in the music-sheet registerswith the contact-finger last referred to, the circuit closes over thewire 10, roller 10, said contact-finger, and the wire 10 leadingtherefrom through a magnet 85, thence through a magnet 52 to the wirew", which returns to the generator through the cut-out device, as hereinbefore described. All the wires leading from the twelve contacts 104 tothe magnets 85, controlling the G-string fingering devices, lead throughthe magnet 52, controlling the G-string sounder-shaft, and each of thethree succeeding groups of twelve of the contacts 104 has its wires, allof which may be considered to be denoted by 10 on the diagram, leadingthrough the magnet which controls the D-string sounder-shaft, anotherthrough the magnet which controls the A- string sounder-shaft, andanother through the magnet which controls the E-string soundershaft.Each wire 10 contains between the bank of magnets 85, from which itproceeds, and the magnet 52, to which it leads, a resistance-coll m toavoid overcharging the so undercontrolling magnets with current. Abranch wire 20 connects the wire w with each of the magnets 63 andcontains a resistance-coil w.

The group of 'fourof the contact-fingers 104 which control the action ofthe sounder-s on the open strings of the violin are identified in thediagram by resistances w" in the wires w, leading from them each to awire w near its connection with a sounder-magnet 52. As will beunderstood, when a perforation in the traveling music-sheet registerswith any one of these last-named contacts the ci rcuit-closu re occurs,the current passing over the wire w and roller 10 to that contact andthence over the respective wire on and wire n? through a magnet 52 tothe wire w returning to the generator. The resistance :11 compensatesfor the lesser work required of the current in not passing through amagnet 85 to perform work.

The four contact-fingers 104 in the group immediately adjacent to thefinal contact which controls the cut-out are each connected by a wire Min'm'lediately with a different magnet 63 for regulating thesoumler-pressure against the strings, the circuit for this purpose beingclosed, when one of these lingers contacts with the roller 10 through aperforation in the traveling music-sheet over the wire 7H leadingthrougha magnet 63 and to the wire 112 which connects with the return-wire w.The wire 2/1 which proceeds from the first on the left-hand side of thegroup of contact-lingers controlling the magnets 63, leads to the one ofsaid magnets the armature 72 of which has the shortest arm 71, wherebydepressive attraction of that armature raises the forward edge of therock-bar 64 so high as to prevent the armatures 55 from depressing thesounder-shafts, thus preventing contact of the rotating Sounders withthe strings. Connected with that wire M by a wire w is a singlespring-contact, (indicated at 104 in Fig. 18,) registering with acircumferential series of insulation-{mints 107, spaced uniformly apartabout the roller 10 and inlaid therein flush with its surface. \Vhen aperforation in the traveling music-sheet registers with this ring ofinsulationpoints, the rotation of the roller brings alternately metaland insulation against the contactfinger 104 and causes a rotatingsounder 51, the magnet 52 of which is energized, to contact vibratinglywith'its string. This is because the circuit over the wire 20 and saidwire leading through the magnet 63, which raises the forward edge of therock-bar 64 to the highest point to the wire w connected with thereturn-wirew, closes each time metal between the insulation-points 107encounters the contact 104, whereas when an insulation-point encountersthe same the circuit is broken, dct'inergizing the said magnet 63 andpermitting the energized sounder-shaft magnet to depress the sounder itcontrols against astring. The inlaid insulation-points 107 arerepresented in Fig. 2 and also in Fig. 3, which latter shows in theroller 10 a supply of mercury 108 for enhancing the conductivity of theroller.

A further desirable adjunct consists of means for facilitating thetuning of the violin-strings by turning the keys 3, of which thefollowing is a description: The tuning operation is performed while thesounders 51 are rotating under the action of the motor 28, but requiresthe travel of the music-sheet to be arrested, and this may be effectedat any time by turning the crank 20 downward and locking it by the entryof its stud 21 into the aperture 22, thus by turning the crank swingingbackward the hangers 17 18 and withdrawing the feed-roller 9 from thecontactroller 10, whereby the feed of the sheet is stopped; On the topof the frame 2 at the front thereof in line with the base of the post isprovided a bank of three push-buttons 109, 110, and 111, Figs. 1 and 18.Coiiperating with, but normally separated from each push-button, isacontact 112, connected by a wire 10" with the wire w. Conductors w andw lead directly from between the button 109 and its contact 112,respectively, to the wire 10", connected with the eighth contactfinger10 1 of the twelve (fr-string row of these fingers controlling themagnet 85, operating at the D-sharp position on the G-string, and to thewire w, connected with the first contact-finger 10 1 of the twelveD-string row of three fingers controlling the magnet 85, operating atthe Dsharp position on the D-string. Thus by depressing the button 109the conductors 20 7.0 will .close circuits over them from the wire 20 tothe wires leading from the aforesaid eighth and first contacts 104: tothe respective magnets 85, actuating them to depress the fingeringdevices they control at the D-sharp positions on the G and D strings,whereby when these strings are in tune the sounders rotating againstthem will cause them both to sound D-sharp, and when one string is outof tune it may be strained to the pitch of the other, which serves toguide the ear of the operator in tuning. The conductors 11, and 10 actedon in the same way by the push-button 110, lead, respectively, to thewire e0 proceeding from the eighth contact-finger 10 1 in the secondseries of twelve controlling the D-string magnets 85, and to the wireto", proceeding from the first finger 10 1 in the third series of twelvecontrolling the A-string magnets, whereby depressing the button 110closes the circuits of the magnets for actuating the foregoing devicesthatengage the D and A strings at the A-sharp positions on them for thedescribed guiding purpose in tuning. The conductors w and I @0 acted onin the same way by the push-button 111, lead, respectively, to the wire10?, proceeding from the eighth contact-finger 10 1 in the third seriesof twelve controlling the A- string magnets 85, and to the wire 10proceeding from the first finger 104; in the fourth series of twelvecontrolling the E-string magnets, whereby depressingthe button 111closes the circuits of the magnets 85 for actuating the fingeringdevices that engage the A and E strings at the E-sharp positions thereonfor the described guidance in tuning.

If desired, automatic tempo-varying means may be provided to be actuatedby the motor 28, and a device suitable for the purpose is illustrated inFig. 16, involving the following described construction: On one end ofthe motor-shaft 27 is reciprocably mounted a wedging thimble 113.engaging at its tapering end a flaring recess llet aboutthe center of aradially-split pulley 115,surrounding the shaft on the end of alongitudinally and correspondinglysplit sleeve 116' about the shaft andproceeding from a collar 117, secured on the shaft to rotate with it bya set-screw 118. The split pulley would supplant the pulley 26 and beconnected by the belt 25 with the brushshaft pulleys. Below the shaft 27is supported in alinement therewith on a stand 119 an electromagnct 120,having a spring-armature 121, one end of which is secured to the standto cross the magnet-core, the other end bearing against the thimble 113.The magnet will be included with a contact-finger like and addi tionalto the lingers 10%, cooperating with the roller 10 and included in acircuit of the generator. The circuit connection referred to is readilyunderstood by those skilled in the art, and illustration thereof in theaccompanying drawings is therefore unnecessary and is omitted to avoidsupplementing therewith the diagram in Fig. 18, which would tend toconfusion thereof. The operation Will be understood, however, to be thefollowing: hen the circuit containing the magnet 120 is closed throughthe perforated traveling music-sheet, resultant attraction of thearmature 121 will cause it to force the thimble 113 against the pulley114:, with the effect of expanding it, and thus increasing its diameter,thereby speeding its peripheral rotation and correspondingly speedingthe rotation of the feed-roller 9. By energizing the magnet 120 thewedging thimble therefore increases the speed of travel of themusic-sheet, and when the magnet is deenergized the springiness of thearmature 121 permits it to be retracted with the unwedging retractivemovement of the thimble 113 under the contractive force exerted upon thesections of the pulley 115 by the sections of the sleeve 116, which areof resilient metal.

The foregoing exact description of all the parts of the machine asillustrated and their mannerof operation and cooperation is necessary toa ready understanding of the entire invention by reason of thecomparatively complicated construction embodying it. ithout departurefrom the invention, however,

the mechanism, as also the combinations of parts thereof, aresusceptible of considerable modification, so that it not intended to belimited to particular details of construction and combinations except insuch of the appended claims as specify them.

hat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a stringed instrument, the combination with a string, of a partprovided with a dished disk, the periphery oi which is adapted forfrictional contact with the string when said part is moved toward thesame, means for rotating said disk, and means for moving the same towardand from the string.

2. In a stringed instrument, the combination with a string, of a partprovided with a dished disk, the periphery of which is adapted forfrictional contact with the string when said part is moved toward thesame, means for retating said disk, means for moving the same toward andfrom the string, and means for cushioning the movement of said disk.

3. In combination with a stringed instrument, a rotatable soundingdevice supported relative to a string of the instrument and comprising adished disk presenting its edge to the string against which it isrotated.

4. In combination with a stringed instru' ment, a rotatable soundingdevice supported relative to a string of the instrument and comprising abody composed of a plurality of dished disk members nested together andpresenting their edges to the string against which said body is rotated.

5. In combination with a stringed instrument, a rotatable soundingdevice supported relative to a string of the instrument and comprising abody composed of a plurality of dished disk members nested together andpresenting their edges to the string against which said body is-rotated,means for rotating said body and means for moving it toward and from thestring.

6. In a self-playing stringed instrument, the combination with a string,of a sounding device including an electromagnet, a fingering deviceincluding an electromagnet, an electric circuit including said magnetsin series, and a shunt across the lingering-device magnet, whereby thesounding-device magnet may be energized without energizing thelingeringdevice magnet.

7. In asell -playing stringed instrument, the combination with a string,of a sounding device including an electromagnet and adapted to soundsaid string, a plurality of lingering devices each provided with anelectromagnet and adapted to linger said string when its magnet isenergized, and an electric circuit having branches, each branchincluding one only of said lingering-device magnets and the common partincluding the sounding-device magnet, whereby each of saidlingering-device magnets is included in series with said sounding-devicemagnet.

8. In a self-playing stringed instrument, the combination with a stringand a source of electrical supply, of a sounding device including anelectromagnet and a dished disk adapted to sound said string, aplurality of lingering devices each provided with an electromagnet andadapted to finger said string when its magnet is energized, and acircuit extended from said source and having branches, each branchincluding one only of the lingering-device magnets and the common partincluding the magnet of said sounding device, whereby each of saidlingering-device magnets is included in series with said soundingdevicemagnet.

9. In combination with a string of a stringed instrument, a fingeringdevice therefor consisting of a notched bar supported to extendtransversely of the string and reciprocate at right angles thereto, andmeans for depressing said bar to straddle at its notch said string andhold it against lateral vibration.

10. In combination with a string of a stringed instrument, a pluralityof fingering devices therefor consisting of notched bars supported atintervals transversely of the string and a link flexibly connecting saidbars, having a bar arched across said string, and means For depressingsaid bars to straddle the string and hold it against lateral vibration.

11. In combination with a string of a stringed instrument, acushion-equipped lingering device therefor having a notched barsupported to extend transversely of the string and reciprocate at rightangles thereto, and means for depressing said bar to straddle at itsnotch said string and hold it against lateral vibration.

12. In combination, a stringed instrument having its linger-boardprovided with a longitudinal ridge below a string, and a lingeringdevice consisting of a notched bar supported to extend transversely ofthe string, and means for de 'iressing said bar to straddle at its notchsaid ridge and said string to hold the string against lateral vibration.

13. In combination, a stringed instrument having its linger-boardprovided with a longitudinal ridge below a string, and a plurality oflingering devices consistingof notched bars supported at intervalstransversely of the string and a link flexibly connecting said bars,having a bar arched across said string, and means for depressing saidbars to straddle said ridge and said string to hold the string againstlateral vibration.

14. In combination,a stringed instrument having its linger-boardprovided with longitudinal ridges, one for each string, a row oflingering devices extending along each string,

each device provided with an electromagnet and with a notched barextending across a string to be depressed by energizing itscontrolling-magnet to straddle a ridge and the string above it and holdthe string against lateral vibration, a sounding device for each stringprovided with an electromagnet, and an electric circuit having branches,each branch including one only of said fingeringdevice magnets, thebranches for each row having a common part including one of saidsounding-device magnets, whereby each of said fingering-device magnetsis included in. series with a sounding-device magnet.

15. In combination, a stringed instrument, rows of cushion-equippedfingering devices for the strings, each device provided with anelectromagnet and with a notched bar extending across a string to bedepressed by energizing its controlling-magnet to straddle the stringand hold it against lateral vibration, sounding devices for the strings,each provided with an electromagnet, and an electric circuit havingbranches, each branch including one only of said fingering-devicemagnets, the branches for each row having a common part including one ofsaid sounding device magnets, whereby each of said fingering-devicemagnetsis included in series with a sounding-device magnet.

16. In combination, a stringed instrument, rows of fingering devices forthe strings, each device provided with an electromagnet, soundingdevices for the strings, each provided with an electromagnet, anelectric circuit having branches, each branch including one only of saidfingering-device magnets, the branches for each row having a common partincluding one of said sounding-device magnets, Whereby eachfingering-device magnet is included in series with a sounding-devicemagnet, and means for regulating the depression of said sounding devicesincluding electromagnets contained in other branches of said circuit.

17. In combination, a stringed instrument, rows of fingering devices forthe strings, each provided with an electromagnet, sounding devices forthe strings, each provided with an velectromagnet, an electric circuithaving branches, each branch including one only of said fingering-devicemagnets, the branches for each row having a common part including one ofsaid sounding-device magnets, whereby each fingering-device magnet isincluded in series with a sounding-device magnet, and an electric tuningattachment comprising other branches of said circuit connected withdifferent magnets of the several rows of fingering devices andoperating, by their closure, to actuate the fingering devices ofdifi'erent strings simultaneously.

18. 'In combination with a string of a stringed instrument, a fingeringdevice comprising an electromagnet provided with an armature, a roddepending from said armature to be reciprocated by its movements, and anotched bar yieldingly supported on the lower end of said rod to extendacross the string.

19. In combination with a string of a stringed instrument, fingeringdevices comprising a series of electromagnets, each provided with anarmature carrying a depending rod, spring-supported heads on the lowerends of the rods terminating in notched bars extending transversely ofthe string, and links connecting said bars from rod to rod and eachprovided with an arched bar extending transversely of the string betweena pair of said notched bars.

20. In combination with a string of a stringed instrument having alongitudinal ridge on its finger-board registering with said string,fingering devices comprising a series of electromagnets each providedwith an armature carrying a depending rod, springsupported heads on thelower ends of the rods terminating in notched bars extendingtransversely of the string, and yokes linking said bars from one toanother, terminating in perforated ears at which they are fulcrumed onsaid bars and each having an arched bar extending transversely of thestring between a pair of said notched bars.

21. In an electric violin-playing machine, the combination with asupporting-frame for the parts, of a generator-circuit and a motortherein, said circuit having branches, an electrical contact-roller insaid circuit and a feedroller for a perforated music-sheet cooperatingwith said contact-roller and geared to the motor, rotary shafts drivenby said motor and carrying sounders for the violin-strings,electromagnet-controlled supports for said shafts for moving thesounders relative to said strings, electromagnet-controlled fingeringdevices supported to engage the strings on the finger-board of theviolin, and electrical contacts cooperating with the contact-rollerthrough perforations in said sheet, each of said branches connecting onefingering-device magnet with one of said contacts and the branches forthe fingering devices of each string having a common part including asounding-device magnet.

22. In an electric violin-playing machine, the combination'with asupporting-frame for the parts, of a generator-circuit and a motortherein, said circuit having branches, an electrical contact-roller insaid circuit and a feedroller for a perforated music-sheet cooperatingwith and adjustable relative to said contact-roller and geared to themotor, rotary shafts driven by said motor and carrying sounders for theviolin-strings, electromagnetcontrolled supports for said shafts formoving the sounders relative to the strings, electromagnet,-controlledfingering devices supported to engage the strings on the fingerboard ofthe violin, and electrical contacts cooperating with the contact-rollerthrough perforations in said sheet, each of said branches connecting onefingering-device magnet with one of said contacts and the branches forthe fingering devices of each string having a common part including asounding-device magnet.

23. In an electric violin-playing machine, the combination with asupporting-frame for the parts, of a generator-circuit and a motortherein, said circuit having branches, an electrieal contact-roller insaid circuit and motordriven means cooperating with said roller formoving across it a perforated music-sheet, rotary shafts driven by saidmotor and carrying sounders for the violin-strings,electromagnet-eontrolled supports for said shafts for moving thesounders relative to said strings, electromagnet controlled fingeringdevices supported to engage the strings on the fingerboard of theviolin, electrical contacts cooperating With said contact-roller throughperforations in said sheet, and an electromagnetactuated regulator forthe movements of the sounders, said fingering-device magnets being eachconnected by one of said branches with one of said contacts and thebranches for the fingering devices of each string having a common partincluding a sounding-device magnet, and others of said contacts beingeach connected by a branch with one of the magnets of said regulator.

24. In an electric violin-playing machine, the combination with asupportingframe for the parts, of a generator-circuit and a motortherein, said circuit having branches, an electrical contact-roller insaid circuit and motordriven means cooperating With said roller formoving across it a perforated music-sheet, rotary shafts driven by saidmotor and carrying sounders for the violin-strings,electromagnet-controlled supports for said shafts for moving thesounders relative to said strings, electromagnet controlled fingeringdevices supported to engage the strings on the fingerboard of theviolin, electrical contacts cooperating with said roller throughperforations in said sheet, stop-fingers on the armatures of thesounding-device magnets and a springeontrolled rocker-bar engaged bysaid fingers, and a regulator comprising electromagnets supported atvarying distances relative to said sounding-device magnets and armsfulerumed on said rock-bar and each extending therefrom to adifferentregulator-magnet and carrying the armature thereof, said fingeringdevicemagnets being each connected by one of said branches with one of saidcontacts and the branches for the fingering devices of each stringhaving a common part including a sounding-device magnet, and others ofsaid contacts being each connected by a branch with one of the magnetsof said regulator.

25. In an electric violin-playing machine, the combination with asupporting-frame for the parts, of a generator-circuit and a motortherein, said circuit having branches, an electrical contact-roller insaid circuit and motordriven means cooperating with said roller formoving across it a perforated music-sheet, rotary shafts driven by saidmotor and carrying sounders for the violin-strings,electromagnet-controlled supports for said shafts for moving thesounders relative to said strings, electromagnetcontrolled fingeringdevices supported to engage the strings on the fingerboard of theviolin, electrical contacts cooperating with said roller through theperforations in said sheet, an electromagnet-actuated regulator for themovements of the sounders by their controlling-magnets, and a tremoloattachment on said roller, said lingering-device magnets being eachconnected by one of said branches with one of said contacts and thebranches for the fingering devices of each string having a common partincluding a sounding-device magnet, and others of said contacts beingeach connected by a branch with one of the magnets of said regulator,one of said last-named branches having connected with it a contact whichregisters with said tremolo attachment.

' 26. In an electric violin-playing machine, the combination with asupporting-frame for the parts, of a generator-circuit and a motortherein, said circuit having branches, an electrical contact-roller insaid circuit and motordriven means cooperating with said roller formoving across it a perforated music-sheet, rotary shafts driven by saidmotor and carrying sounders for the violin-strings,electromagnet-controlled supports for said shafts for moving thesounders relative to the strings, electromagnet-controlled fingeringdevices supported to engage the strings on the fingerboard of theviolin, electrical contacts cooperating with said roller throughperforations in said sheet, an electromagnet-actuated regulator for themovements of the sounders by their controlling-magnets, and acircumferential series of spaced insulating-points about .said rollerand with which one of said contacts registers, said fingering-devicemagnets being each connected by one of said branches with one of saidcontacts and the branches for the fingering devices of each stringhaving a common part including a sounding-device magnet, and others ofsaid contacts being each connected by a branch with one of the magnetsof said regulator and with one of which last-named branches saidregistering contact is connected.

27. In an electric violin-playing machine, the combination with asupporting-frame for the parts, of a generator-circuit and a motortherein, said circuit having branches, an electrical contact-roller insaid circuit and motordriven means cooperating with said roller formoving across it a perforated music-sheet, rotary shafts driven by saidmotor and carrying sounders for the violin-strings,electromagnet-controlled supports for said shafts for moving thesounders relative to said strings,

